At least 25 have died, including five prison officials, as rival inmate groups clashed violently over alleged drug trafficking at Sri Lanka’s Negombo Prison. The incident has prompted military deployment amid severe overcrowding.

Violence erupted at Negombo Prison over the weekend, escalating into a deadly two-day clash that has left at least 25 people dead and over 100 injured. The unrest, primarily between rival inmate factions linked to drug trafficking, forced authorities to deploy elite police units, the military, and air support to regain control.

Rival factions clash over drug betrayal

The incident began on Sunday afternoon when two groups of inmates turned on each other inside the prison. Preliminary investigations point to a dispute triggered by the betrayal of information regarding an internal drug trafficking operation. One faction, allegedly led by a drug kingpin with ties to organized crime figures like “Buru Moona,” confronted opponents after details of their activities were exposed.

During the initial melee, inmates reportedly raided the prison’s pharmaceutical dispensary and office, consuming painkillers and other substances. Two inmates were killed and dozens injured in this first wave of violence. Police confirmed the clash occurred within the premises, with the wounded transferred to nearby hospitals.

Tensions simmered overnight but exploded again on Monday morning. As prison officers entered to distribute breakfast, the rival groups clashed once more. Inmates assaulted officers attempting to intervene, leading to a broader confrontation. By around 10 AM, a group of prisoners attempted to breach the main front gate in what appeared to be an escape bid.

Security forces deployed amid gunfire

The Police Special Task Force (STF) and regular police units were rushed in, supported by Air Force personnel using a Bell helicopter and drones for surveillance. Periodic gunshots echoed from within the prison walls, heightening fears of a mass breakout. Signals were reportedly jammed in the area, complicating communications.

Reporters at the scene described chaotic scenes outside the prison, where anxious family members gathered and protested, demanding information about their loved ones. Law enforcement struggled to manage the crowd while focusing on the internal threat.

The death toll rose sharply on Monday to at least 25, including five prison officials and 20 inmates. Over 100 people sustained injuries from gunshots, blunt force trauma, and other violence, overwhelming Negombo General Hospital and requiring transfers to facilities in Colombo.

Prison authorities have initiated transfers of inmates to other facilities to de-escalate the situation and restore order. This measure aims to separate rival factions and reduce immediate pressures on the Negombo site.

Chronic overcrowding fuels prison volatility

Sri Lanka’s prison system has long been plagued by severe overcrowding, which experts and rights groups say exacerbates tensions and violence. As of recent data, the country holds around 41,000 to 42,000 inmates against an official capacity closer to 10,000-11,000 – roughly four times over capacity in many facilities.

Negombo Prison, located north of Colombo, is no exception. Just days before the clash, reports emerged of a dengue outbreak affecting around 40 inmates, with some requiring intensive care. This health crisis compounded existing strains from poor ventilation, limited medical resources, and basic sanitation issues common across the system.

Prison rights advocates, including the Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP), have highlighted that approximately 65 per cent of inmates struggle with drug addiction. Many require rehabilitation rather than pure incarceration, yet treatment programmes remain inadequate amid staff shortages and resource constraints. The latest violence is seen as a symptom of these deeper failures.

Historical parallels and calls for reform

This is not the first major prison disturbance in Sri Lanka. The 2012 Welikada Prison riot in Colombo remains one of the deadliest, claiming 27 lives during a search for contraband. That event also involved armed inmates, security force intervention, and allegations of excessive force – issues that continue to shadow the system.

Smaller clashes have occurred periodically, often linked to drugs, gang rivalries, or protests over conditions. The current incident at Negombo underscores persistent challenges: the influence of organized crime within prison walls, the flow of contraband, and the difficulties of managing a large remand population awaiting trial.

Police and prison officials are conducting investigations into the causes, including the role of specific inmates in drug networks. Questions are also being raised about how weapons or the potential for escalation were not better contained.

Broader implications for Sri Lanka’s justice system

The Negombo clashes come at a time when Sri Lanka continues to grapple with post-economic crisis recovery, public health challenges like dengue surges, and demands for judicial and penal reforms. Overcrowding not only fuels violence but also raises human rights concerns regarding conditions of detention.

Families of the victims and injured are demanding transparency and accountability. As transfers proceed and the situation stabilizes, authorities face pressure to address root causes – expanding rehabilitation for drug offenders, improving prison infrastructure, and tackling internal corruption that allows drug trade to thrive behind bars.

For now, the focus remains on securing the facility and providing medical care to the wounded. The full extent of the damage and any potential escapes or further casualties are still being assessed as operations continue.